Description

AUXILIARY BRACKET FOR ORTHODONTICS

Technical Field

[1] the present invention relates to a bracket used for orthodontics, and more particularly, to an auxiliary bracket for orthodontics, which is mounted on a buccal side or a lingual side of a patient's tooth in correspondence with a position of the existing bracket to generate a soft force without conflicting with an action of the existing bracket. Background Art

[2] In general, orthodontics is to solve problems, such as deficit in an aesthetic sense of a facial contour and deterioration in chewing function of teeth occurring due to an abnormal condition in teeth structure and form, a disharmony in sizes of upper and lower teeth, an abnormal condition in engagement of upper and lower teeth, a disposition in a facial shape and so on.

[3] For the orthodontics, brackets are mounted on buccal faces or lingual faces of a patient's teeth according to an orthodontic direction and a level of correction, and then, an orthodontic ligator, such as a wire or an elastic string, is ligated to the bracket.

[4] Such an orthodontic therapy using the above-mentioned bracket is to act a force only at one of the buccal side and the lingual side since the bracket is mounted only on one of the buccal face and the lingual face of the teeth.

[5] So, as shown in FIG. 1, since an unnecessary rotating power is generated due to a difference between a resistance center of a tooth and an action point of power, the tooth may be rotated and displaced in an unintended direction during an orthodontic therapy period.

[6] To solve the above problem, there has been proposed a method to apply a force to the buccal face and the lingual face of the tooth by mounting brackets on the buccal side and the lingual side of the tooth.

[7] However, even though the brackets are mounted on the buccal side and the lingual side, if the conventional brackets are used, there are various problems as follows.

[8] As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional bracket is formed in an approximately rectangular shape, has a mesiodistal width is wider than a buccolingual width or equal with the buccolingual width, and includes a slot formed horizontally or vertically therein.

[9] Such a bracket is used as an auxiliary bracket to minutely and precisely move the tooth for a long time by ligating a wire to the slot, however, the bracket continuously applies a strong force to the tooth due to a minute torque by the wire since a contacted

portion between the wire and the bracket is wide.

[10] In addition, since the slot has a section formed in a rectangular shape, the torque of the delicately bent rectangular wire ligated to the slot is transferred to the bracket as it is, whereby the tooth is rotated and displaced.

[11] Therefore, as shown in FlG. 3, in the case where the brackets are mounted on the buccal side and the lingual side to correct the both sides of the tooth, an interference of unnecessary force may occur due to a minute difference in forces or a distortion in direction, and so, it may prevent the orthodontics. Moreover, it is difficult to smoothly cope with a change in dental tissue or a change in orthodontic environment occurring for a long-term orthodontic period since the brackets are mounted too delicately.

[12] Furthermore, the conventional bracket has several problems in that it is difficult in adhesion and disadhesion since an adhesion area between the bracket and the tooth is wide, in that it cannot firmly adhered on the surface of the tooth of various shapes, and in that the patient may feel a foreign body sense since the bracket is formed in the rectangular shape or its mesiodistal width is wide.

[13] Additionally, the conventional bracket has another problem in that the bracket must be manufactured separately while changing vertical and horizontal angles of the slot formed in the bracket according to an inclination angle of the patient's tooth. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary bracket for orthodontics, which is mounted on a buccal side or a lingual side of a patient's tooth in correspondence with a position of the existing bracket to generte a soft force without conflicting with an action of the existing bracket, to reduce the patient's foreign body sense, and to be easily adhered and disadhered to the patient's tooth. Technical Solution

[15] To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary bracket for orthodontics including: a main body gradually widened in a downward direction and having a curved surface formed upwardly convexly, the main body having a mesiodistal face relatively narrower than a buc- colingual face thereof; a coupling part formed at the center of the buccolingual face of the main body and perforating the main body in a mesiodistal direction; and a fixed part formed on the lower portion of the main body upwardly concavely for partially grounding both lower end portions of the mesiodistal face on a patient's dental surface.

[16] In addition, the coupling part is formed in a round shape when it is viewed from the

buccolingual face . [17] Moreover, the fixed part is surface-treated by a high-pressure powder injection of aluminum oxide.

[18] Furthermore, the fixed part is expanded to the outside of the main body.

[19] Additionally, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics further includes an insertion part communicating with the coupling part at a side of the main body and opened to the outside of the main body. [20] Moreover, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics further includes retaining grooves inwardly dented at both mesiodistal faces of the main body.

Advantageous Effects [21] As described above, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention can generte a soft force without conflicting with the action of the existing bracket since it is mounted on the buccal side or the lingual side of the patient's tooth in correspondence with the position of the existing bracket, reduce the patient's foreign body sense due to its curved surface form, and be easily adhered and disadhered to the patient's tooth.

Brief Description of the Drawings [22] FIG. 1 is a view showing an action of a force acting to a tooth when a bracket is mounted on a buccal side or a lingual side of a patient's tooth for an one-side correction according to a prior art.

[23] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bracket according to the prior art.

[24] FIG. 3 is a view showing an action of a force acting to a tooth when brackets are mounted on a buccal side and a lingual side for a both-side correction according to a prior art. [25] FIG. 4 is a front view of an auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [26] FIG. 5 is a side view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [27] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [28] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [29] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where an insertion part is formed on the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [30] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the state where the insertion part is formed on the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention. [31] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state where retaining grooves are formed on the

auxiliary bracket of FlG. 4.

[32] FlG. 11 is a front view showing a state where retaining grooves are formed on the auxiliary bracket of FlG. 8.

[33] FlG. 12 is an exemplified view showing a state where the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention is mounted on a lingual side.

[34] FlG. 13 is a view showing an action of a force acting to a patient's tooth when the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention is used. Mode for the Invention

[35] Reference will be not made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[36] FlG. 4 is a front view of an auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 5 is a side view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 6 is a bottom view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 7 is a perspective view of the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 8 is a front view showing a state where an insertion part is formed on the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 9 is a perspective view showing the state where the insertion part is formed on the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention, FlG. 10 is a front view showing a state where retaining grooves are formed on the auxiliary bracket of FlG. 4, FlG. 11 is a front view showing a state where retaining grooves are formed on the auxiliary bracket of FlG. 8, FlG. 12 is an exemplified view showing a state where the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention is mounted on a lingual side, and FlG. 13 is a view showing an action of a force acting to a patient's tooth when the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention is used.

[37] As shown in the drawings, the present invention relates to an auxiliary bracket mounted in the opposite direction to a main bracket, which is mounted on a buccal side or a lingual side of a patient's tooth, in correspondence with the main bracket, and the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics includes a main body 100, a coupling part 200, and a fixed part 300.

[38] First, the main body 100 is generally made of composite resin, has a curved surface formed upwardly convexly, and the curved surface extends to the lower portion of the main body and is widened downwardly.

[39] Since the main body 100 is made of composite resin and can be easily manufactured in various colors including a transparent color, it can be easily applied to esthetic orthodontics and orthodontics for infants. In addition, the main body 100 can minimize the patient's foreign body sense through the curved surface shape, and

minimize impact by resistance bodies and prevent a unintended separation since various resistance bodies (foods, a tongue, ...) colliding against the main body 100 are smoothly moved along the curved surface which is widened downwardly.

[40] In addition, the main body 100 is fixedly adhered on the dental surface, and includes a mesiodistal face 120 whose front side directs in buccal and lingual face directions, a buccolingual face 110 whose front side directs in a lateral direction between the buccal and lingual face directions, a coupling part 200 formed at the center thereof, which will be ligated with a wire, a crescent-shaped line or an elastic string (hereinafter, referred to a "ligator for orthodontics"), and a fixed part 300 formed on the lower portion thereof, which will be described later.

[41] Therefore, the mesiodistal face 120 is formed to be inclined from the convexly curved surface of the upper portion of the main body 100, and tilted in the buccal and lingual face directions.

[42] Moreover, the buccolingual face 110 is formed from the convexly curved surface of the upper portion of the main body 100 in an approximately vertical direction to the mesiodistal face 120 .

[43] Here, the width of the mesiodistal face 120 is narrower than that of the buccolingual face 110 in correspondence with the shape of the main body 100 which is widened downwardly.

[44] So, an interval between the auxiliary brackets is formed wide, and a distance between the orthodontic wires or crescent-shaped lines ligated to the auxiliary brackets becomes long to easily secure a movement distance.

[45] Next, the coupling part 200 will be described.

[46] The coupling part 200 is formed at the center of the buccolingual face 110 of the main body 100, and perforated in a mesiodistal direction. That is, the coupling part 200 starts from the buccolingual face 110 of one side of the main body and ends at the buccolingual face 110 of the other side of the main body.

[47] Furthermore, the coupling part 200 is formed relatively wider than a sectional area of the orthodontic ligator coupled to the coupling part 200, so that the orthodontic ligator is firmly fixed on the coupling part 200 by filling the coupling part 200 with resin after the orthodontic ligator is coupled to the coupling part 200.

[48] Thereby, the orthodontic ligator transfers a slightly fluid force to the auxiliary bracket since the wire coupled to the coupling part 200 is in contact with the coupling part 200 through the medium of resin.

[49] Therefore, the auxiliary bracket according to the present invention can support a force of the main bracket without conflicting with an action of the main bracket, and smoothly cope with a change in dental tissue and a change in orthodontic environment occurring during a long-term orthodontic period.

[50] Additionally, since the orthodontic ligator is coupled from the buccolingual face

110 of one side of the main body to the buccolingual face 110 of the other side of the main body, the orthodontic ligator is coupled to the coupling part 200 of another auxiliary bracket mounted on an adjacent tooth or coupled to one of various orthodontic devices, such as an anchorage for orthodontics, mounted inside the oral cavity.

[51] Here, if the coupling part 200 is formed in a through-hole shape perforated in the mesiodistal direction, it does not matter whether its section is in a rectangular form or a triangular form when it is viewed from the buccolingual face 110, but it is preferable that the coupling part 200 is formed in a round shape to provide a smoother movement to the orthodontic ligator coupled to the coupling part 200.

[52] Next, the fixed part 300 will be described.

[53] The fixed part 300 is formed on the lower portion of the main body 100 upwardly concavely, whereby both lower end portions of the mesiodistal face 120 are partially grounded on the patient's dental surface and fixed on the tooth by photopolymerization of resin.

[54] The both lower end portions of the mesiodistal face 120, i.e., both sides of the fixed part 300, are partially adhered on the dental surface by the upwardly concave shape of the fixed part 300. The reason is to firmly fix the fixed part 300 on the tooth without regard to various shapes or angles of the dental surface by adhering the fixed part 300 and the tooth with each other in a small area.

[55] A predetermined space is formed at the middle portion between the fixed part 300 and the dental surface due to the concave shape of the fixed part 300, and is fixed by photopolymerization after filling the space with resin for orthodontics.

[56] So, the auxiliary bracket can be easily adhered on the dental surface without regard to the various shapes of the dental surface since only the both side portions of the fixed part 300 are directly adhered on the dental surface, and easily adhered to and disadhered from the patient's tooth since the middle portion of the fixed part 300 is indirectly adhered on the dental surface through the medium of resin.

[57] In addition, the fixed part 300 may have an uneven surface to enhance an adhesive force to the dental surface, whereby the fixed part 300 sufficiently accepts resin for conjugation to increase the adhesive force more. Moreover, the adhesive force of the fixed part 300 can be improved more by increasing a surface roughness of the fixed part 300 through a high-pressure powder injection of aluminum oxide (Al O ).

[58] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixed part 300 is formed in such a manner as to be expanded to the outside of the main body 100, so that an adhered surface of the fixed part 300 in contact with the dental surface is widened to be firmly adhered on the tooth.

[59] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention further includes an insertion part 400 formed on a side of the main body 100 in such a manner as to communicate with the coupling part 200, and opened to the outside of the main body 100. The insertion part 400 can be formed on a side surface, an upper surface or other any portion of the main body 100 according to a purpose of use.

[60] The insertion part 400 is formed to insert the orthodontic ligator from the upper portion of the auxiliary bracket. When the patient has many teeth to which the auxiliary brackets are adhered, since it is not easy to couple the orthodontic ligator to the coupling part 200 in the mesiodistal direction, the orthodontic ligator is firmly fixed to the coupling part 200 through the steps of directly inserting the orthodontic ligator from the upper portion of the main body 100, coupling it to the coupling part 200, and closing the insertion part 400 by photopolymerizing the insertion part 400 with resin. So, the auxiliary bracket according to the present invention can be applied to a partial-mouth and a full-mouth.

[61] Additionally, if necessary, when the auxiliary brackets are adhered on the teeth while being rotated at 180 degrees by turns in such a manner that the opened portions of the insertion parts 400 are directed upwardly and downwardly by turns, the orthodontic ligator can keep a firmly fixed state without closing the opened portion of the insertion part 400 with resin.

[62] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferable that the main body 100 further includes retaining grooves 500 inwardly dented at both mesiodistal faces 120 thereof. The retaining grooves 500 are to conveniently connect a chain-shaped elastic member of the orthodontic ligator.

[63] Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described.

[64] First, as shown in FlG. 12, the main bracket is mounted on the buccal face of the patient's tooth, and then, the rectangular wire is ligated to the main bracket. In this instance, the auxiliary bracket is mounted on the lingual face of the patient's tooth, and then, the wire is ligated to the auxiliary bracket.

[65] Here, if the tooth is inclined toward the buccal face, a torque is generated toward the buccal face of the tooth by the main bracket and the wire ligated to the main bracket. The auxiliary bracket applies a torque acting in the same direction as or in a different direction from the buccal-directional torque of the main bracket to adjust an inclination level of the tooth.

[66] Thereby, as shown in FlG. 13, since the auxiliary bracket applies only a weak force, which offsets a turning force generated on the buccal face or the lingual face, to the tooth, the auxiliary bracket can support the force of the main bracket without conflicting with the action of the main bracket. Moreover, according to circumstances,

the auxiliary brackets can be mounted on the buccal face and the lingual face of the tooth.

[67] Since the narrow mesiodistal width and the coupling part of the auxiliary bracket are formed in a round shape, unnecessary resistance due to an interference of both side forces or a difference in direction of the force is not generated.

[68] That is, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention can smoothly cope with the change in dental tissue and the change in orthodontic environment occurring during the long-term orthodontic period since an interval between the auxiliary brackets is wide and the wire ligated to the auxiliary bracket acts smoothly.

[69] In addition, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention can minimize the patient's foreign body sense since it has the curved surface and the narrow mesiodistal width, and prevent the bracket from being unintentionally separated from the dental surface by minimizing an external contact friction generally acting to the bracket since foods are chewed along the curved surface of the bracket. Industrial Applicability

[70] As described above, the auxiliary bracket for orthodontics according to the present invention can generte the soft force without conflicting with the action of the existing bracket since it is mounted on the buccal side or the lingual side of the patient's tooth in correspondence with the position of the existing bracket, reduce the patient's foreign body sense due to its curved surface form, and be easily adhered and disadhered to the patient's tooth.

[71]